Sybil & James W. Robb

Sybil L Robb,90,of Upper Arlington,OH passed away peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, January 12, 2021. She was the daughter of the late George A Brooks and Nora Belle Bradley of Marion NC where she was born. She was one of eight children.

Preceded in death by devoted husband James William Robb(Jimmy),85,of Upper Arlington OH on June 3,2015. He was born in Elmwood, NC to the late James Walter Robb and Laura Mae Perkins. Jimmy married her on May 4,1949 and spent 66 wonderful years of marriage together. James enlisted in the USAF then and served proudly for 23 years at several bases in the United States and had several overseas tours in Germany,Labrador and Thailand. Before going to Thailand he attended the NCO Academy. He served during the Korean Conflict. He earned the Bronze Star and the USAF Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. Sybil served along side of him and supported him during their journey together and while apart from each other by raising their three children and providing a loving home for them. Their time apart only helped them to be stronger for one another and knowing that Jesus assured them blessings by loving them.

Also preceding her was their precious and only son James William Robb,Jr.,42, of Newport News VA on November 19,1992. He was born in Marion, NC. He was known as "Billy" or "Bill" to loved ones. He worked at NASA in Hampton VA. Losing him devastated them throughout their remaining lives. He was a juvenile diabetic and struggled with many illnesses.

She also lost a dear son-in-law Randy W Norman,49, of Bethany Beach, DE on September 13,2007 to cancer. He brightened their lives whenever they visited him. They have all been reunited now and that brings such joy to loved ones.

Surviving her are daughters Janet(Randy)Koehler of Grove City OH and Jill R Norman of Bishopville MD.
Four grandchildren; Randy S.(Dianne)Koehler,II of Cincinnati OH, Leah(Zachary)Packard of Grove City OH, Justin W(Jocelyn)Norman of Bishopville MD, and Sarah Norman of DE.
Five great-grandchildren; Abbigale,Mason,and Ava Packard of Grove City OH and Seiler and Easton of Bishopville MD.
Also surviving Sybil is her only sister Elizabeth(James)Baily of Penn Yan NY.
Cousins,sister-in-laws Risberth Brooks(Asheboro NC) and Jean Brooks (Nebo NC) and many nieces and nephews remain to cherish her memory.

After retirement from the military in 1972 at Langley AFB in Hampton, VA Sybil and Jimmy settled down in Newport News, VA where they made their home for 40 years. They were often seen walking together on Denbigh Blvd. They delighted in going to the Newport News Park to have a picnic,feed the ducks or just walking through the park and seeing all of the wildlife. They liked to go fishing down along the James River at times. They would frequently go to Fort Monroe to enjoy a band concert. She could play the piano and harmonica and they would sing the old hymns daily. She loved crocheting,knitting and other crafts, gardening and cooking. Every spring and summer you would find them in their small garden which produced a lot of their favorites, especially tomatoes. She had a green thumb like no other. She loved roses and tulips most of all but she would try to grow anything she put her mind to, azalea bushes and crepe myrtle trees were her pride and joy. He enjoyed doing woodwork,yard work and maintaining his Ford vehicles,that's all he would own. Scrabble and Rummy were the two games they played ritually not to mention the many games they enjoyed playing with their grandchildren when they visited. They also loved to sing with them and making up new songs for them to learn. They enjoyed meeting up with friends at McDonalds on Denbigh Blvd. and Jefferson Ave. to have a cup of coffee and catch up on all of each others lives. They loved people of all walks of life and getting to know them was their purpose in life as they would often do on their patio in their porch swing. They spread the love of Jesus throughout their lives together and could be seen spreading that love through a candy cane or a lollipop to little children that passed by their yard.
None of the above activities would not have been possible if it weren't for the love that Jesus bestowed upon them throughout their lives. God was first and foremost in their home and making sure their children knew how special He was to them. Jimmy served as a deacon at Salem United Methodist Church in Greenville,SC. They kept their membership there while serving other churches at bases where they were stationed. Before moving to OH they worshiped at Asbury United Methodist Church on Warwick Blvd. and met many wonderful people through Bible studies with whom they shared treasured friendships. It was here that they got involved in mission homes, they loved serving others near and far. They both had cheerful hearts and loved their Lord Jesus.
Only He can provide you a home with Him upon death if you accept Him as your Savior and repent of your sins, we all fall short in our Christian walk but its through His example that He will forgive us and love us for all eternity. Jimmy and Sybil are reunited and will live on in their eternal rest. God be with you.

Upon moving to OH they met many loving people that came into their lives. They worshiped at Madison Christian Church in Groveport, OH when they were able. It was there that people loved them, cared for them and prayed for them throughout the remainder of their earthly lives. The love of Jesus blessed them richly.

Special thanks to Capital City Hospice of Columbus OH staff, nurses and aides who provided such wonderful care for her. They treated her with great compassion and respect and took care of her family as well. Thanks also goes out to the staff, nurses and aides at Arlington Court Nursing Center where she and Jimmy resided for 6 1/2 years.


A private family memorial service will be held out of state at a future date.
If you feel led to make a donation in their memory please do so to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) or to Samaritan Purse/Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA).